New Music This Week

Welcome to the February 6, 2026, edition of New Music Friday. The Nashville machine is firing on all cylinders today, delivering a release cycle that feels like a masterclass in modern country. We’re seeing a massive pivot toward sonic identity, where the "stately oomph" of high-gloss production meets the raw, road-tested grit of the Red Dirt resurgence.

Whether you're looking for stadium-sized anthems or the kind of "tears-in-your-beer" balladry that defines the neo-traditionalist movement, today’s slate has it. From the high-octane collaborations of the main stage to the atmospheric deep cuts emerging from the indie corner, here is your essential guide to the sounds shaping the 2026 circuit.

The Big Collaborations

George Birge & Luke Bryan,  "Ride, Ride, Ride" George Birge continues his meteoric rise, swapping his indie roots for a radio-ready anthem alongside five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan. This isn't just a summer-ready bop; it’s an intergenerational torch-passing.  The production is cinematic, pairing a driving rhythm with lyrics that serve as a blueprint for resilience, barbed-wire tough and built for high-rotation airplay.

• Songwriters: Casey Brown, George Birge, Parker Welling, Tyler Hubbard
• Producer: Casey Brown

Elvie Shane & Kameron Marlowe,  "Bourbon & The Bible" A heavy-hitting merger of Shane’s blue-collar grit and Marlowe’s power-balladeer vocal runs. The track leans into the classic Nashville dichotomy of Saturday night vice and Sunday morning grace, delivering a neo-traditionalist soul-searcher that feels instantly timeless.

• Songwriters: Elvie Shane, Kameron Marlowe, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles
• Producer: Oscar Charles

Deep Dives

Megan Moroney,  "Cloud 9" The "Emo Cowgirl" is officially entering her third-album era. The title track for her upcoming February 20 LP is a dreamy, atmospheric masterpiece that proves why Moroney is the premier stylist of her generation. While the record features global heavyweights like Ed Sheeran, this solo cut is all about her sharp lyrical prowess and a sonic identity that blends vulnerability with a sharp, boot-heeled edge.

• Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ernest Keith Smith
• Producer: Kristian Bush

Russell Dickerson,  "The Roses" Dickerson is pivoting from his usual high-octane stage swagger to deliver an intimate, piano-driven love story. It’s a bold move for an artist known for arena-shaking energy, but "The Roses" anchors itself in the same emotional honesty that made "Yours" a multi-platinum staple.

• Songwriters: Russell Dickerson, Michael Hardy, Chase McGill, Jordan Schmidt
• Producer: Jordan Schmidt

Larry Fleet,  "Both Sides Of The Fence" In a year defined by noise, Fleet offers a soulful, optimistic perspective on common ground. Eschewing political divides for personal anecdotes, like a house split between Reagan and Carter, he uses his signature "soulful country" vocals to argue for the "gray" areas of life.

• Songwriters: Alex Kline, Brent Rupard, Chris DuBios
• Producer: Alex Kline

The Roots/Indie Corner

Koe Wetzel,  "Time Goes On" The king of "total chaos" turns reflective. This lead single uses a childhood photo for its artwork, signaling a nostalgic shift for the Red Dirt icon. It’s still got that grunge-country edge, but there’s a maturity here that suggests Wetzel is ready for his global arena-headlining chapter.

• Songwriters: Koe Wetzel, Gabe Simon, Amy Allen
• Producer: Gabe Simon

Southall,  "Freight Train" Formerly the Read Southall Band, these guys are leaning hard into Southern soul. "Freight Train" is a deep, swinging groove that feels road-tested and atmospheric, trading the polish of Music Row for the grit of the touring circuit.

• Songwriters: Read Southall, John Jeffers
• Producer: Southall

49 Winchester,  "Pardon Me" Isaac Gibson’s distinctive, gruff vocals lead the charge on this "tears-in-their-beers" ballad. It’s a masterclass in Appalachian grit, organic, honest, and completely unbothered by chasing pop trends.

• Songwriters: Isaac Gibson
• Producer: Stewart Myers

The Lightning Round

• Gavin Adcock,  "Colorblind": Raw, rowdy, and built for stadium crowds that defy demographic labels.
• Cooper Alan,  "Work": A North Carolina hustle anthem from the independent powerhouse that blends rural values with modern beats.
• Carter Faith,  "Fame Is A Gun": A warm, rootsy reimagining of Addison Rae’s pop hit that solidifies Faith as a premier crossover stylist.
• Lakelin Lemmings,  "Get Around Boy": The 19-year-old’s debut title track is a high-energy road anthem name-checking every mile from the Keys to New England.
• Eddie and the Getaway,  "Love You": High-energy, genre-blending vibes optimized for the festival circuit and TikTok virality.
• Elizabeth Nichols,  "Sweet Cigarette": A slow-burn, atmospheric indie-country narrative that belongs on every "New in Country" playlist.
• Kaylee Rose,  "Everything Comes Back": A resilient, full-circle track focusing on the grind and grit of the industry.
• Tayler Holder,  "Pieces": Continuing his transition from digital influencer to "old soul" musician with a track full of maker’s joy.
• Waylon Wyatt,  "In Loving Melody": Melodic purity from a young traditionalist who knows his way around a classic hook.
• Redferrin,  "If I Was California": Sharp, country-trap influenced storytelling that keeps the "New Nashville" sound evolving.